German school in Turkey reopened after closure by authorities
School
Istanbul, July 19, 2018 (dpa/NAN) A German school in the Turkish coastal city of Izmir has reopened after being shuttered at the end of June by Turkish authorities, the school’s head teacher Dirk Philippi, said on Thursday.
“I am very happy. Now we can begin on time when the new school year starts at the end of August,” Philippi said.
A delegation from the Turkish Education Ministry and local officials accompanied by police officers entered the school less than a day after students left for their summer holiday to give notice that it would be closed.
The German ambassador in Ankara then began negotiations with the Turkish ministries of education and foreign affairs.
The closure was apparently related to questions over whether “children with a Turkish background” should go to the schools, a source close to the negotiations said.
“The Turkish state wants to educate Turkish children itself.
“Further meetings are planned,’’ the source said.
The non-profit school in Izmir is a branch of the private school attached to the German embassy in Ankara.
Tensions between Berlin and Ankara rose last year when German officials blocked Turkish politicians from speaking in Germany ahead of a Turkish constitutional referendum.
The two governments later called for detente, but other issues including German nationals detained in Turkey have continued to dog the relationship. (dpa/NAN)
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Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Wale Ojetimi